Ta-Da!

Here is Rachel releasing her inner-diva at the Painted Turtle Open House (Frankly we don't think it is all that inner...). Who do you think she takes after? 

Introducing Sophia

This is baby Sophia and her dad Chris. Sophia was born in November and is already out at social gatherings. In this case, she was attending the open house for her mom and dad's new business the Painted Turtle, where kids can do art play. It's a pretty cool place and you can check it out at www.thepaintedturtle.ca 

Read to me!

Here is Dennis reading to Rachel. Rachel LOVES being read to. We have tried to teach her the sign for book, but to no avail (actually the whole signing thing has been a bit of a bust. She sometimes makes the sign for "light" and that is about it. Otherwise she just gets mad and makes two little fists when you ask her to make a sign). Instead, when she wants you to read to her, she ambles over to her book basket, rifles through it until she finds the one she wants and then throws the book at you several times until you read it to her. She likes to help turn the pages. Often she likes to have the book read to her both forwards and backwards. Current favourits include Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See, Skip to my Lou, Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb, Curious George One to Ten and Back Again, Mama Do You Love Me (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Van Staalduinen) any book with baby or dog pictures in it, and one other book that we refuse to read to her anymore because it is so sweet it makes Dennis gag (it shall remain nameless). 

Relaxing

Dennis was feeling sorry for Rachel always being a starfish in her snow suit so he thought he would show a bit of empathy. 

Play it again Sam

Rachel can now reach the keys on our piano. Today we started with Chopsticks and tomorrow we are going to work on the Fleur de Lys. 

Beat that Baby Einstein!

It is a little known fact of science that baby hair plus balloons equals static electricity. This can be represented by:

Zap=Poof+Pop! or Z=Pf+Pp

And here Jeanette thought her efforts in highschool physics were for naught!

Tomorrow we will study how babies plus bananas equals a squishy mess on the floor...(otherwise known as exponential math...) 

If you can't lick'em...

After visiting with Matthew, Rachel told us she wanted a milkshake. So we headed down to Licks. This was Rachel's first visit and you can see how happy she is to have been introduced to the third best grease pit in Ottawa (numero uno being Burgers and Shakes and numero dos being Dick's Drive In and Dairy Dip, both of which Rachel has only experienced second hand - so to speak) Jeanette and Dennis wanted to start her first year off right by developing a life-long addiction to French fries. 

Introducing Matthew Alexander McCall

All 9 lbs, 7 oz of him! Ready to take on the world! 

The newest member of the McCall clan

 

Rachel visits her new friend

Here is Rachel visiting her brand new friend Matthew Alexander (aka Magnum and Pudge), born on November 30. The proud parents are Kate and Rich. Way to go Katie-Kate and good catching hands Rich! 

Light!

Pointing is cool! And Rachel has a thing for lights (and windows) right now. 

Ole!

This is Rachel doing her best diva imitation. I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Deville! 

Rachel visits Liam

This is Rachel visiting with Liam (while Jeanette is visiting with Avra). They are now experienced Strollercize buddies and encourage their Moms to "Run, Forest, Run."